Agnews of Lochnaw

182 THE YOUNG LOCHINVAR. [l 558.
Each gave in an excuse, all much to the same effect — viz.,
" Alledged that at the day of Trew he raid to the water of Annan
to have past forward with the Wardane ; and that the water was
so great that he might not ride it without danger of life."
The pleas were admitted.
The young Sheriff and his brother-in-law Lochinvar appear
to have managed to cross the flood. This, however, was only to
be expected, seeing that this said Sir John Gordon was the
identical young Lochinvar, the favourite hero of border romance,
of whom Lady Heron is said to have sung, that —
" He stay'd not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone ;
He swam the wide Esk where ford there was none ! "
In 1558, Andrew Durie, the Bishop of Galloway, died, and
was succeeded by Alexander Gordon (a son of the Master of
Huntly by a natural daughter of James IV.). He has the
distinction of having been the first Protestant prelate in Scotland,
and was one of the four ministers appointed to advise with the
council when the Protestant leaders formed the association
known as "the Congregation," which suspended the queen-
mother from her office of regent.
One of the last of her Majesty's acts was the granting the
following letter of very doubtful validity, although under the
royal signet, relieving the Earl of Cassilis from the jurisdiction of
the Sheriff. It proves that the old feud was still smouldering on,
although we have no record of its having lately broken violently
out : —
" Ane Exempte foe the Eael of Cassilis and his Dependants
from the Sheriff of Wigtown.
" We, understanding that thair standis sum variance, discord,
and unkyndness, betwix oure cousing, Gilbert, Earl of Cassilis,
his kin, friendis and servandis on that ane part ; and our Schiref
of Wigtoun, his kin, friendis and servandis on that uther part,
quhairthrow he and his Deputtes may be na jugeis competent to
thame in ony action concerning thame : Therefore, We, for
eschewing of grettare inconvenienttis, be thir presentes exemes